Saturday, August 25, 2007

Portrait of a Photo Shoot

So, I have this little album devoted to photos of my niece, Abigail. I call it the Abigallery. If you visit my apartment for longer than thirty seconds you will probably have it thrust under your nose. It's not that I'm a proud uncle. It's just that she is an exceptional child in every way.

This morning I've been adding prints to the book, and I ran across the shots from an impromptu family portrait session we did the week after she was born. We did it in the nursery using ambient light, with everybody in denim and pale cottons for a soft, relaxed look. Abby is the first WASP baby in the history of my family (okay, she's half-WASP) and so the Ralph Lauren/Town and Country vibe seemed appropriate.

With an unpredictable subject like a baby, you can't plan your shots too much. You clear the space, set up the lighting to be as all-purpose as possible, and go with the flow. And I find it best to shoot the same way I shoot rodeo: keep the camera to your eye and your finger on the shutter. Good moments are fleeting.

I'm usually not one for conventional, posed groups, but I figured they might be more to the taste of the grandparents and so we started out with a few of those.

What I really wanted, though, was something slightly more unusual so I asked Susan and Phil to lie down on the floor with Abby and just cuddle up together. I shot them from above, and caught some fun vignettes like this.

Getting them out of the rocking chair and into a playful position led to the sort of spontaneity that I generally prefer to formality.

However, at one point I did get the idea to have Abigail lay in a niche created by Susan and Phil's bodies. I wanted an image of her surrounded and protected by her parents, and with their cooperation I got something akin to what I'd imagined.

But I'm almost as fond of this misfire, which happened when I accidentally tripped the shutter while adjusting my position.

Abby, honey, I know from the look on your face exactly what you're thinking. And I'll tell it to you plain: the bad jokes never get any better, and the older you get the weirder they're going to seem. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about.

You can always come stay with Uncle Franklin when it gets to be too much. We'll have lunch downtown and rock the shoe department at Nordstrom.

You are an incredibly talented photographer! The love that you feel for your sister and her family (especially that adorable cutie Abby!) comes thru loud and clear. I agree with geogrrl-you're an awesome uncle!

Oh, Franklin, Abigail's denim skirt is just too much - otherwise, to all the other comments I add "HEAR HEAR" - those are all The Way it Is. I can imagine that album being pored over in 150 years by adoring descendents who bless your name with every turn of the page.

The misfire is the best shot of them all. And speaking as a person whose mother told her she had too many shoes and whose auntie said "there's no such thing, honey," I'm with you on the Nordstrom extravaganza. Soothes a world of ills, it does.

Thank you for sharing these photos with us. From the first photo you posted, I thought that Abigail was an exceptionally beautiful child - second, perhaps, only to my DD who is now 24 - and it is a joy to see new photos of her. These family photos are absolutely wonderful. Thanks again.

Okay, I feel a caption is required for that misfired photo - perhaps you should have a wee competition!Also, I am a little concerned that you refer to your niece as a half wasp - will she have a penchant for black and orange stripes, and a very nasty sting?? (lol)

One of my favorite pictures of my daughter as a baby happened when the photographer shot a couple of unplanned pix to finish off the roll: it's a "portrait" of her chubby little feet on an antique bedspread spread out under a tree.

Franklin, thank you for being so willing to share your self through your blog. I read it every day, and enjoy it greatly. I love the photos of Abigail with her parents, and that last image is the best one, IMHO. Fiona

You have such an eye, dear Franklin! I am absolutely GREEN at your skills! Sure wish it could be taught....

I too, love each and every one of the photos!! And she just keeps getting cuter and cuter ;) Mommy and Daddy ain't too shabby either -- but then with a beauty like that it would be surprising if they were!

And I have a sneaking suspicion that Uncle Franklin will very quickly become one of Abby's most favorite people in the world -- and I say that even if she grows up to hate shoes -- as I do.

You are one very special person in the eyes of a great many people, just in case you don't already know it, and one need not look too hard to see the wisdom in the eyes of that beautiful child. /sentimental posting off

Franklin, I love love love your blog... I knit your baby sweater and can't wait to give it in November and I want to nominate you for the Rocking GUY blogger award!! Details here and here... thanks for all you do :)

That is SO funny that you'd say that about the jokes by her parents not getting any better as she gets older. My oldest daughter hasn't enjoyed my husband and my sense of humor since the day she graced us with her presence. I try to withhold it when friends come over =) Beautiful portraits!

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